Facilitating conversion to organic production

Recent growth in the Canadian organic retail market has increased the need for research surrounding various issues. The need for information regarding the transition period to organic production has been identified by research committees, government officials and producers alike as one such issue. This study examines many of the current issues surrounding the transition to organic production using a two stage research program to identify and analyze many of the factors associated with the transition to organic production.;Phase two uses a postal survey to collect information on the factors mentioned above, as well as other issues identified during the interview process, such as the marketing of organic products. Quantitative methods including factor and regression analysis are used on the data collected to validate the findings from the interviews conducted in phase one and complete the objectives of the study.;Results suggest that both Health and Safety and Environmental concerns are the predominant drivers for farmers to convert to organic production. The principle problems farmers experience during transition relate to the lack of support from government and marketing agencies as well as the nature of markets for organic products, particularly the power of the major food retailers and competition from imports. Producers also preferred to market and sell their products directly to consumers when at all possible.;This research suggests that there is room for government involvement to help producers through the transition process as the non recurring capital costs of the transition phase are shown to be high. Development of a more efficient organic supply chain would be of great benefit to transitional and certified organic producers.;Phase one uses face-to-face interviews with practicing organic producers to identify issues relating to farmer's motivations for adopting organic farming practices, the problems and challenges faced during the conversion process and during organic production, the changing cost structure associated with conversion to organic production and the perceived benefits of organic production. Qualitative analysis of the information received from the interviews is reported and used for the construction of a postal survey used in phase two of the study.